Jewell Parker Rhodes

Hands-On Activities to Enrich the Reading Experience

If you are interested in incorporating any of the experiments below in your classroom, please contact Valerie Kendra at vkendra@gmail.com.

Ninth Ward

• Create a hurricane in a bottle: https://sciencing.com/make-hurricane-science-project-5373251.html
• Build and test levees: https://www.teachengineering.org/activities/view/cub_weather_lesson05_activity1
• Research the four main types of bridges and build one using materials found in the classroom: http://www.scholastic.com/browse/lessonplan.jsp?id=1509 & http://designandtech.ca/pdfs/bridge_notes.pdf
• Create a timeline of the history of New Orleans and discuss why it is a true melting pot of American cultures: https://www.history.com/topics/new-orleans

Sugar

• Research the Chinese Zodiac: https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-zodiac/
• Make Chinese finger traps: https://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_2632517855&feature=iv&src_vid=ssUN7XXAkB8&v=UuXjhRNAkGA
• Study kite designs and make kites: https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/culture/kites.htm & https://www.activityvillage.co.uk/chinese-kite-craft
• Do an activity where music/beat is used for synchronicity
• Introduce basic astronomy and create a star guides: http://www.educationworld.com/a_tsl/archives/00-1/lesson0003.shtml & https://www.naturalnavigator.com/find-your-way-using/stars

Bayou Magic

• Firefly Jars: learn about the science of bioluminescence while creating “fireflies”: https://www.stevespanglerscience.com/2012/06/25/sick-science-summer-camp-make-your-own-firefly-glow-jars-glowing-drinks/ & https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-and-why-do-fireflies/
• Study the meanings of dreams and create Dream Journals: SEE ATTACHED
• Study African Folklore, discuss oral histories, and create a Mami Wata art project: http://www.realmermaids.net/mermaid-legends/mami-wata/ & https://static1.squarespace.com/static/53cfd0e5e4b057663ea1bc61/t/57b1e0b746c3c406dd172afd/1471275383444/Oral+Traditions+of+West+Africa.pdf
• Create and clean up an oil spill. Study the effects oil has on fur and feathers and discover what methods are used to clean up wildlife and waterways: https://www.nwf.org/~/media/PDFs/Eco-schools/OilSpillActivity-Easy.ashx & http://stemactivitiesforkids.com/2016/04/22/earth-day-stem-challenge/ & http://ocean.si.edu/gulf-oil-spill
• Cooking Class: Make jambalaya or gumbo.